When Offerings and Visualization Stir a Thought

Evil Ghosts were rooted in Human Thought. Their path gathered that thought, and thus belonged to the Incense Way.

Ever since the Evil Ghost attacked, Chen Cuo's need to understand the Incense Way had grown more urgent. After his encounters with the young Daoist, Guishan Temple, and the Temple Dragon King, the mystery of this path was finally beginning to unravel.

"Cultivating by gathering Human Thought is called the Incense Way for a reason. This method relies on two things: one's own visualization and the offerings of others. Only when both the visualizer and the worshippers are present does cultivation become possible."

The Dragon King's temple had fallen into disrepair and had no Devout Believer. Those who came to pay their respects would worship any god or Buddha they happened upon. At one point, even demons who showed no respect for gods or Buddhas had occupied it. Its Incense was meager indeed.

Because of that, making use of such meager Incense demanded skill. The Temple Dragon King could not afford to take them in indiscriminately or waste the slightest bit. In turn, he had grasped a deeper aspect of the Incense Way.

"Thoughts, intentions, ideas, and strong emotions form the basis of a worshipper's offerings. But they must also relate to the visualizer. Only a connection between the two allows the thoughts to reach their destination. It is like recognizing a master: that bond keeps the thoughts entrusted to the Incense Way from losing their way. Take 'The Painted Skin.' It had never appeared in this world before. I brought it here and passed it on through my own hand, leaving my mark on it. That mark points to me."

"Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio is a work that has endured through the ages, and its stories are captivating. 'The Painted Skin' quickly drew together many people's Human Thought. But thoughts change in an instant, and I had done this without intending to. I didn't know how to contain or limit the thoughts entrusted to it, so they developed unchecked. Following their contents, they gave rise to an Evil Ghost. It harms not only the worshippers but also me, the visualizer!"

"Now the Evil Ghost has gathered enough will to act on its own. It intercepts the Human Thought that should flow into my heart, leaving me with less than half. Only by refining it can I set things right. But it has amassed considerable strength. First, I must sort through the radiance of Human Thought and establish the god within my heart upon the foundation of my true self. Only then can I seek it out for a decisive battle!"

Through his understanding of the sixty-four Golden Light characters, his perception of the city's radiance of Human Thought, and his brief meeting of eyes with the Evil Ghost, he realized the situation resembled a tug-of-war.

The Human Thought entrusted to him was like a rope that should have reached his hands. Instead, he and the Evil Ghost held opposite ends. The Evil Ghost was probably stronger, but it had also sprung from "The Painted Skin," so Chen Cuo retained an innate advantage. That was why he had managed to hold his own even before he understood the Incense Way, and why the Evil Ghost coveted him.

"To strengthen myself, I must visualize and establish a god within my heart. But I can't simply imagine anything I please. It must relate to the worshippers' thoughts and to the source of the offerings. Buddhist School followers burn incense and pray to Buddha, so Buddhist School cultivators visualize Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Vajra guardians, and the like. The more they can bring their followers' beliefs into alignment, the easier it is to gather the thoughts offered through Incense! Otherwise, those thoughts scatter, and more than half may be wasted."

At that thought, Chen Cuo's mind grew clearer.

"If I visualize a god within my heart, it must fit the contents of 'The Painted Skin' to gather the greatest possible consensus. My choices are limited, especially since I've already outlined the ghost face. Unless..."

Something stirred in his mind, and he narrowed his eyes.

"Perhaps there's room to reconsider. Who are the main figures in 'The Painted Skin,' exactly?"

A flash of insight crossed his mind.

"First there's Wang Sheng and his wife, both mortals. Who else? The most striking figure is the Evil Ghost wearing painted skin. But there's also the Daoist who subdued it with a Gourd, and the Mad Beggar who brought Wang Sheng back to life. Those last three all possess Divine Ability and Magic Power..."

Chen Cuo's brow eased. He had found the key.

"The Evil Ghost may be terrifying, but it was subdued in the story. Everyone who has read or heard 'The Painted Skin' knows the Daoist defeated it. And the Daoist is directly connected to the Evil Ghost. Doesn't that mean..."

Once he turned the idea over, the whole path opened before him.

"When I first visualized the ghost face, the Facial Masks in Dream Marsh had boxed in my thinking. I made that choice without realizing it. The ghost face has taken shape now, but I can still add to it. That might make it better suited to countering the Evil Ghost, and easier for people to accept!"

He let out a long breath.

"I'm getting ahead of myself. First, I need to establish the Heart God. Though the Evil Ghost is my immediate enemy, establishing that god is the beginning of my path, more important than subduing demons. It's the foundation for Eternal Longevity, so I must keep my priorities straight and prepare thoroughly. I can't rush this. And I mustn't neglect the Breathing Technique, either. I need a few more cards up my sleeve..."

Early the next morning, Chen Cuo slept, as usual, until the Young Novice Monk knocked on his door. After breakfast, he went into the courtyard and ran through a set of health-preserving exercises.

Chen Hai then came to report that everything had been prepared.

Chen Cuo nodded, showing little reaction.

He remained calm, but the atmosphere at Guishan Temple had grown tense. He could see it in the Monks hurrying back and forth.

Before long, Huizhi, the monk in charge of receiving guests, came to greet him again.

"Master Huizhi," Chen Cuo asked at once, "has something happened at the temple?"

Huizhi tensed. He had come on a mission to check on the Marquis of Linru County. Though he had not been told to confine the marquis, he was to keep an eye on him and prevent him from getting involved in the important matter at hand.

He had not expected the Marquis of Linru County to ask before he could say a word!

From Huizhi's reaction, Chen Cuo knew something significant was happening. Instead of pressing him, he said, "If you can't tell me, there's no need to." Seeing Huizhi relax, he added, "You needn't be so anxious, Master. A calm mind in the face of great events, holding fast to a single thought in your heart, should benefit your cultivation."

Huizhi paused. The more he considered those words, the more meaning he found in them. He pressed his palms together in thanks. "I'm supposed to be looking after you, my lord, yet every time I visit, I come away with a new insight. I'm ashamed to say it." He continued, "There is indeed something happening at the temple, but it won't affect you. If you need anything, you may send someone to ask at any time."

Chen Cuo did not press further. He had his suspicions. "Rest assured, Master. You've shown me every courtesy. If something happens at the temple, I'll cooperate, and if there's any way I can help, I'll do what little I can."

Huizhi thanked him and assured him that the matter would not disturb him.

Chen Cuo smiled faintly. "I'll stay in this courtyard today."

Huizhi's eyes brightened. That was exactly what he wanted, and he readily thanked Chen Cuo.

"But I'll still need meals," Chen Cuo added. "It would be best to prepare them early and send them over."

"Of course. If you need anything else, my lord, just have someone let us know." Huizhi agreed, then immediately took his leave to make the arrangements before Chen Cuo could change his mind.

Watching him go, Chen Cuo shook his head lightly.

"From the look of it, whatever's happening here is no small matter. Fortunately, my visualization has nothing to do with Buddhism. It's rooted in thoughts about a story, so it won't interfere with the temple's Buddha Light or disrupt their affairs."

Meanwhile...

Outside the temple, a carriage stopped, and Zhang Ju stepped out.

"We're here. The marquis has been staying here these past few days." Chen He, the steward from the Prince's Residence, was waiting outside the carriage. "I'll go ahead and announce you."

Zhang Ju nodded and glanced at the temple gate. "Guishan Temple is well known. I've visited many times before. Since I'm here, I may as well offer some incense."

But no sooner had he said it than Chen He was turned away. He returned with a Monk.

"Lord Zhang, the temple isn't receiving visitors today," Chen He said. "I'm afraid we'll have to come back another day." Having worked at the Prince's Residence, he knew that Guishan Temple had the regard of powerful people despite its modest appearance. If the temple said no visitors could enter, even the Prince of Nankang would be hard-pressed to change its mind, let alone Zhang Ju.

"I'm terribly sorry," the Monk beside him said, apologizing repeatedly. "The Presiding Monk has given orders. The temple has an important matter to attend to today. No one may enter, and no one may leave."

Zhang Ju was surprised. He looked at Monk and said helplessly, "In that case, I'll have to return another day. Master, would you please pass a message to the Marquis of Linru County? Tell him..."

"Wait." Monk's expression changed. "You're here to see the Marquis of Linru County?"

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